MINI-EVENT: RENDEZVOUS

[returnjourney]

MINI-EVENT: RENDEZVOUS

March 9th, 2022
Tasked with picking up some emergency botanical supplies, the Peregrine stopped in Meodriotope in February and is now making haste towards another ship, for a rendezvous and hand-off of the supplies. In late morning, the view out of the windows on one side of the Peregrine will be blocked almost entirely by another ship — the Feather, also from the Admiralty's fleet. The hand-off will take place here, between two ships.

In the afternoon (local Peregrine time), a mini transport from the other ship docks in the Peregrine's loading bay. Three passengers disembark to assist in the loading, have some brief conversations, and then be on their way.

If you have any questions about the event, please ask here.

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1. Observing the Feather

The Feather is one of the oldest ships in the Admiralty's fleet, a fact that is perhaps less known than intuited, simply by looking at it. While the Peregrine's sleek helices and centre spire move through space like some deep-sea organism, the Feather is a great drifting whale, its broad and boxy body speckled with simple portholes. The sides are painted with murals — abstract swirls of colour, flowers the size of houses, massive birds flitting between them. There's text that must have taken quite the ladder to paint: "Hope is a thing with feathers!" The murals are patchy and worn, but there's a lot of love there.

But despite how massive it is, it floats weightless in space. It comes so close to the Peregrine's side that it almost seems like they could brush, and the ships' respective force-fields thrum as they "merge", blending into one large bubble. In the distance, one can see quite a number of passengers on an outside deck, gathered at the railings to watch. Too far to shout across, but certainly close enough to see tiny limbs waving hello!

In the observatory, the computer monologues:

"The Feather. Currently on the 18th year of its current mission. Current population consists of 295 wardens, 306 inmates, 5 graduates in-transition and 53 supporting staff. Most passengers are from Earth Variants. The Feather is currently headed by Navarch Margaret "Old Lady" Lloyd, a Navarch with 45 years of experience..."

2. Loading the Materials

Want to lend a hand? The more the merrier. The crates of Lover's Kiss must be brought to the loading bay, checked and then loaded into the waiting transport ship. Caution is a must; we can't have the flowers crushed or damaged when they're sorely needed for medicines at their final destination.

Helping, of course, are the representatives from the Feather: two wardens and an inmate. (They'll have their own top levels below!)

3. Rewards

Passengers identified to the Navarch as having assisted in the gathering efforts will have a delivery bot stop by with a clear plastic container fogged over by steam. The container is warm to the touch, and opening it reveals a lusciously greasy cheeseburger with all the fixings, a mound of thick-cut salted french fries, and the fattest, cheesiest, richest-looking slice of pizza known to mankind. The food is cradled by red food-wrapping sheets with a white PIZZA PLANET logo. Enjoy!

(Or kill someone for a french fry after weeks or months of eating processed food substitutes. You do you.)

4. Oops, Caught Red-Handed!

So there was that thing the Navarch said — the flowers are fragile and must be handled with care, as they are only useful intact. And sure enough, on the surface of Meodriotope, dutiful flower-pickers had discovered that if you plucked them too roughly, they'd explode, leaving red stains that take weeks to wear off skin, even with dutiful scrubbing. It's been weeks and they're just starting to fade, fortunately, but there's a second phase.

Passengers stained red might discover they're having trouble sleeping. The redder they are, the longer their minds refuse to rest. In severe cases, this results full-blown insomnia. In mild cases, the body may shut down while the mind remains completely alert. These effects could last anywhere between a few days to a full week.

Good luck!

Comments

2.

[rank1]

[Travis has watched every single burger-eater he has come across. How could he not? The squelch of mayo or mustard or ketchup coming out the back after a big bite, the crunch of the lettuce, the dribble of the tomato and beef juices. The buns look so fucking plush. The french fries look perfectly golden, perfectly salted. He is actively drooling.

And then she makes that fucking noise.

Kinda hot.

He can't help himself:]

Whoa.

[nineteenfortyfive]

[Travis, don't ruin her vibe. Claire looks over at him, some burger juice leaking down the side of her hand and down her wrist. There's mayo on the corner of her mouth, and she's not a savage, so she uses her tongue to lick it away rather than her hand.]

What?

[She doesn't even sound annoyed. She's in the moment.]

[rank1]

[There's something oddly erotic about seeing one of the most stick-up-her-ass women he's ever known getting all mukbang on a burger. Jesus, was that a bit of tongue action? No way.

What the fuck has he seen. WHAT THE FUCK HAS HE JUST SEEN.

With open surprise:]

I didn't think you ate burgers.

[nineteenfortyfive]

[Her eyes flick between Travis and the burger. Respond first, or another bite? He's keeping her from heaven, but that does mean it's prolonged...]

I love burgers. Did you think I only ate fish and chips and drank tea?

[Now, another bite. God, it makes even Travis tolerable.]

[rank1]

Well, you're a Brit, yeah? Clichés are based on truth.

[He moves tables, sliding into the seat across from her. He moves exaggeratedly slow, like she might startle if he comes in too hot.]

[nineteenfortyfive]

[She watches him as she chews, elbows on the table, burger ready for another bite to be taken.]

Want a fry?

[Just one. A single fry. A little treat. Building trust.]

[rank1]

Oh hell yes.

[There's no thought. It could be a fry from the bottom of her shoe and he would still take it without hesitation. William giving him three french fries has only awakened a beast in him. He leans forward across the table, fingers outstretched.]

[nineteenfortyfive]

[The burger is the best part, so she busies herself with another bite, chewing thoughtfully. Currently, she is at peace. She is sitting by Travis and she is at peace.

Christ, she's really missed burgers.]

Too bad you didn't help out.

[Too busy being a dumbass.]

[rank1]

Yeah, it sucks.

[It is, however, bullshit to have not been rewarded for a month of helping William in the greenhouse, but he doesn't give it too much thought. Life is indeed unfair.]

I got to drive an ATV at full speed, though. That ruled.

[nineteenfortyfive]

For the first and last time.

[Unless there's a second attempt at that nonsense.]

[rank1]

[He is just sitting there with the french fry under his nose, appreciating the aroma.]

The other shit I did, been there, done that. But it's fuckin' nuts that everyone's going to be on my ass for driving.

[nineteenfortyfive]

[Claire can understand what he's doing. She maybe deeply inhaled the contents of the container before eating. Smell is a very powerful sense.]

It's just that there are so many things to be on your ass for, that's easy.

[rank1]

Public enemy number one.

[He narrows his eyes behind his aviators, but his gaze is focused on the French fry.

At least it’s number one.]

Can’t believe that of all the people in the galaxy, I’m up there for the worst.

[nineteenfortyfive]

Oh, there's worse than you. I don't doubt that.

[Don't make her think of them while eating this burger, Travis. Claire sighs before going in on it again.]

Are you ever going to eat that?

[Asked with her mouth mostly full.]

[rank1]

Hold your horses, lady, I’m savoring this.

[What follows is a terribly dramatic display of consuming a single French fry, each comedically small bite like a starving man eating for the first time in days. The apex of his life shall hence identified as this salty, starchy moment.]

Perfection.

[nineteenfortyfive]

[She pauses her burger inhalation to stuff a whole fry into her mouth. Still good. She picks up another, but offers it for him to take.

She's in a generous mood.]

[rank1]

[Travis considers for 0.5 seconds that he is the world's cheapest date, and promptly decides he does not care. He takes it.]

Thanks.

[And, with a full mouth as he pops it in:]

You got kids back home?

[nineteenfortyfive]

[She's not even hoping he'll choke on it. It would be her problem to fix that, anyway...

At his question, she nods.]

Grown, with children of their own. Why do you ask?

[rank1]

Seemed like the type.

[He shrugs. How many parents does he know, anyway? That's always felt like an island on a strange shore. Who knows how anyone else lives?]

Most people wouldn't feed just anyone who comes along.

[nineteenfortyfive]

It's cruel to stuff you face in front of someone. And do I look like I can finish all this by myself, besides?

[The burger is the best thing in the box, and so she nudges the box a little closer to him.]

You can have the pizza slice, if you'd like.

[Maybe. Just maybe... if they're a little more friendly, he won't decide to stab her in the next stupid escape attempt.]

[rank1]

Yeah, you look like you could turn sideways and [a sharp gesture down] fall right through a gap in the floor boards.

[This is both a Family Guy joke and not even applicable, given the floor is goddamn tile, but she'll get the point, he's sure. And though her kindness is genuinely surprising to him, he takes one look at the slice in the box and makes no move to take it.]

Nah. Thanks but I don't really do pizza.

[nineteenfortyfive]

[The comment is funny, but the pizza part makes her frown in disapproval. She didn't plan for rejection.]

You don't like pizza?

[rank1]

[It seems like such a stupid, small thing, and for an instant, he considers taking it anyway just so he doesn't have to explain it. But fuck it, what was it he said to Lucifer? People react like shit whenever he talks about death, so there's no point in doing it. Might as well give her the lamest version possible:]

Used to deliver them. Once you've seen that much pizza, you get tired of it.

[nineteenfortyfive]

[Pizza delivery to assassin? And she thought her life was odd.]

Have the rest of the fries, then. Though I am curious about the road you've traveled that took you so far away from pizza delivery.

[rank1]

[That he'll take, and gladly. He pops one in his mouth.]

I was kinda doing both pizza and [what to call it?] fights for a while. I never made that much money off fights because the Association took most of it... still had to pay the rent, though.